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Somalia: U.S. Considers Extended Military Presence in Somalia
Radio Dalsan, 13 February 2025
The United States military presence in Somalia may extend beyond initial plans, as the Pentagon shifts its focus to countering the growing threats posed by the Islamic State (ISIS)… Read more »
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Somalia: Somali National Army and Amisom Discuss Intensified Operations Against Al-Shabaab in Hiiraan
Radio Dalsan, 10 February 2025
The Commander of the Somali National Army's Ground Forces, General Sahal Abdullahi Omar, held an important meeting at the Dab and Dhagax military base in Sector 27, Buuloburde,… Read more »
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Somalia: Somalia's President Vows Decisive Action Against Islamic State in Bari Region
Shabelle, 7 February 2025
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia has pledged a strong offensive against ISIS militants entrenched in the Al-Miskaad Mountains in the Bari region, according to a statement… Read more »
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Somalia: Somali General Confident of Defeat Against Islamic State
VOA, 29 January 2025
For almost a month, security forces in the semi-autonomous Somali region of Puntland have been advancing on the mountainous hideouts of Islamic State militants. Read more »
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Somalia: Africom Issues Statement On Airstrike Targeting ISIS in Somalia
Shabelle, 12 February 2025
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has released details about an operation carried out on February 1, 2025, in the mountains of the Bari region in Puntland, Somalia. Read more »
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Somalia: U.S. Military Reports Drone Crash in Somalia
VOA, 8 November 2024
The U.S. military says it is investigating what caused an army drone to crash in southern Somalia this week. Read more »
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Somalia: Africom Chief Says Islamic State Doubles Size in North Somalia
VOA, 1 October 2024
Islamic State in Somalia has approximately doubled in size over the past year, the chief of U.S. Africa Command told VOA. Read more »
U.S. Considers Extended Military Presence in Somalia
U.S. Secretary of State Pete Hegseth has acknowledged that the U.S. military presence in Africa remains "critical", as discussions are underway for a long-term role of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in the country. There are growing concerns over the resilience of Al-Shabaab and Islamic State (IS) in Somalia, despite years of counterterrorism efforts against the terrorist groups.
The U.S. currently has about 500 military personnel stationed in Somalia that provide aerial surveillance, intelligence, and precision airstrikes to support Somali and African Union forces. The U.S. army has maintained an intermittent military presence in the East African nation. In 2020, former President Donald Trump ordered the withdrawal of nearly all U.S. troops but the decision was reversed in 2022 by the Biden administration.
InFocus
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Fierce fighting between Islamic State militants and security forces from Somalia's Puntland region has left scores dead. Officials say the latest fighting was the heaviest si Read more »
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Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller made a quick visit on Friday to the Somalia capital Mogadishu accompanied by the Africom Commander, U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Read more »
Soldiers from the Somali National Army graduate from a logistics course taught by U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division (file photo).
